MPOTD: Day One

This date will stick out in my mind forever. September 27, 2012 was the first official outing with The 7 Line Army. As luck would have it, today is the fifth anniversary of that outing, and we'll be out there closing out the 2017 home season.

Just like that day in 2012, we had no playoff hopes, but 560 Mets fans turned out for it anyway. We did have R.A. Dickey on the hill going for his 20th win of the season, and we were absolutely loving it. He got it, and also went on to take the CY Young award a couple months later shortly before he was shipped off to Toronto for Travis d'Arnaud, Noah Syndergaard, and Wilmer Becerra.

September 27, 2012 was just the start for us. After nearly 80 outings,16 ballparks (and even some engagements, weddings, babies), we're going strong with no thoughts of slowing down any time soon. Next year's plans are already underway and we're looking forward to getting everything locked in.

But let's not rush today. We have one last game to make some noise, high-five some strangers, and see our summer family one last time, as we salute the players before a long winter. Soak it all in tonight, and remember that a bad baseball season is better than no season at all.

The Mets improved offensively and defensively behind the plate without losing any pieces from their roster or farm system, and without surrendering draft pick compensation. That is what I call a win-win.